Novara Media

The UK’s coronavirus death-toll has overtaken Italy to be the highest in Europe, but the press are more concerned with a scientists sex-life. Plus, Government scientists tie themselves in knots, furloughed workers labelled ‘addicts’, and Guardian technology editor Alex Hern on the NHS contact tracing app.

Papers are awash with stories of the ‘bonking boffin’: but with the highest death toll in Europe, is that what matters? Plus, James Butler asks: what does the pandemic reveal about the nature of the state. And what might it really mean to be free?

The government’s leaked “back-to-work” plans, the resignation of Labour’s General Secretary, and whether we should be concerned about Michael Gove’s bookshelf, discussed by Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani and Ash Sarkar.

As the left wonders how to make a better world out of the crisis, Aaron Bastani asks: are there lessons we can learn from how the right does politics? Plus, James Butler on the politics of freedom. Edelman trust barometer: https://www.edelman.com/research/trust-2020-spring-update

How will the lockdown end? James Butler asks: why is the US so intent on blaming China? Do states need ‘official enemies’? Constantin Cavafy, ‘Waiting for the Barbarians’: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51294/waiting-for-the-barbarians Bruce Schneier, ’On COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps’:https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/05/me_on_covad-19_.html

Ana Kasparian joins Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani to discuss allegations against potential Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Plus, the Johnson government fix testing numbers & Yara Hawari on coronavirus in Palestine.

A look at Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic with Sao Paulo-based journalist Vincent Bevins joining Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani.

Happy May Day! James Butler delves into the strike wave prompted by the coronavirus: might the pandemic mean a stronger position for workers? We hear from a participant in Oxford’s vaccine trial. And James wishes a happy birthday to Resonance FM.

George Monbiot joins Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani to discuss government bailouts and the impact of coronavirus on the politics of climate change. Plus, Boris Johnson has his sixth or seventh baby, and why festival companies are running pop-up morgues.